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No More Mindless Runbys
Below are the ten newest releases from Big "E" Productions in both DVD-R and VHS format.

Union Pacific's Encina Hill DVD

Come with us as we tour one of Union Pacific’s three helper grades in the Blue Mountains before the age of distributed power and see 24 hours of action on the UP’s main line to the Pacific Northwest. The traffic on this line has increased so much in the past 20 years that UP was planning to double track all of their Blue Mountain grades when this was filmed in May of 1994. Intermodal or "Z" trains, stack trains, long manifests, unit coal and grain trains - they are all here as we show the ear-splitting action on one of the three summits of the Blue Mountains - Encina Hill in northeast Oregon. See what the Nampa reduction is all about as UP tries to speed up operations on this busy line.  Length = 65 minutes.

Price: $30.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: DVD

Union Pacific's Encina Hill

Come with us as we tour one of Union Pacific’s three helper grades in the Blue Mountains before the age of distributed power and see 24 hours of action on the UP’s main line to the Pacific Northwest. The traffic on this line has increased so much in the past 20 years that UP was planning to double track all of their Blue Mountain grades when this was filmed in May of 1994. Intermodal or "Z" trains, stack trains, long manifests, unit coal and grain trains - they are all here as we show the ear-splitting action on one of the three summits of the Blue Mountains - Encina Hill in northeast Oregon. See what the Nampa reduction is all about as UP tries to speed up operations on this busy line.  Length = 65 minutes.

Price: $30.95

PSR on CSX’s Chicago Line in Northern Indiana Blu-Ray

In June of 1999 the face of railroading in the East changed overnight.  It has now been over twenty years since CSX and Norfolk Southern split up Conrail and began operating their respective shares.  And after Hunter Harrison’s arrival at CSX in early 2017 with his precision scheduled railroading or PSR, railroad operations on CSX have undergone the most significant change since the Conrail split.  Trains have grown much longer, distributed power is now common on all of CSX’s main lines, seven of CSX’s twelve hump classification yards have had their humps closed, and the track has been removed in some of these yards.  One can even see three mile long, two hundred and fifty car trains at many places throughout the CSX system.  And, as we will see, the train count through here is down considerably since before Harrison’s arrival.  (Second commentary after mid-train power is by)  This program shows the changes in operations on CSX’s busiest main line - their Chicago Line – on the Garret Subdivision in northern Indiana in October of 2019.  There have many changes since our last look at this busy line across northern Indiana in 2010.  And Canadian Pacific still runs a pair of Montreal or Toronto to Chicago intermodal trains across northern Indiana on CSX’s Garrett Sub.  PSR on CSX’s Chicago Line in Northern Indiana is 94 minutes in length.  It can be watched with or without narration.

Price: $34.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: Blu-Ray

PSR on CSX’s Chicago Line in Northern Indiana DVD

In June of 1999 the face of railroading in the East changed overnight.  It has now been over twenty years since CSX and Norfolk Southern split up Conrail and began operating their respective shares.  And after Hunter Harrison’s arrival at CSX in early 2017 with his precision scheduled railroading or PSR, railroad operations on CSX have undergone the most significant change since the Conrail split.  Trains have grown much longer, distributed power is now common on all of CSX’s main lines, seven of CSX’s twelve hump classification yards have had their humps closed, and the track has been removed in some of these yards.  One can even see three mile long, two hundred and fifty car trains at many places throughout the CSX system.  And, as we will see, the train count through here is down considerably since before Harrison’s arrival.  (Second commentary after mid-train power is by)  This program shows the changes in operations on CSX’s busiest main line - their Chicago Line – on the Garret Subdivision in northern Indiana in October of 2019.  There have many changes since our last look at this busy line across northern Indiana in 2010.  And Canadian Pacific still runs a pair of Montreal or Toronto to Chicago intermodal trains across northern Indiana on CSX’s Garrett Sub.  PSR on CSX’s Chicago Line in Northern Indiana is 94 minutes in length.  It can be watched with or without narration.

Price: $34.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: DVD

The New Northern Indiana Expressways, Part I - CSX DVD

On June 1st, 1999, CSX and Norfolk Southern split up Conrail and began operating their respective shares.  The face of railroading in the East changed overnight.  Part I of “The New Northern Indiana Expressways”, shows the changes in the trains and operations on CSX’s Garrett Subdivision across northern Indiana, a.k.a. their “new expressway”, two years and three months after Conrail was broken up.  This video shows all of the trains for over 24 hours around Nappanee, 105 miles east of Chicago in September of 2001.  Length - 113 minutes.  This is not a new program.  It was accidentally left off the web page and was videotaped in 2001.

Price: $34.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: DVD

PSR on NS's Premier Corridor in Northern Indiana Blu-Ray

Several years ago Norfolk Southern began referring to its line to Chicago from northern New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore as the Premier Corridor – the busiest line for freight traffic in the eastern half of the United States and the most important freight corridor on the entire NS system.  And this includes their former New York Central Chicago Line from Cleveland to Chicago.  This video shows the trains and operations on NS’s Chicago Line in northern Indiana, east of Elkhart, for over thirty-six hours in October of 2019.  Norfolk Southern recently implemented their version of precision scheduled railroading called their Top-21 plan system-wide on their manifest trains.  PSR on NS’s Premier Corridor has resulted in fewer but longer trains and the first regular use of distributed power in over thirty-five years on this line.  In June of 1999 the face of railroading in the East changed overnight. It has now been over twenty years since CSX and Norfolk Southern split up Conrail and began operating their respective shares.  NS has greatly increased their share of intermodal traffic between the East Coast and Chicago versus CSX.  This program shows that growth and the effect of PSR on NS’s Premier Corridor since our last look at NS’s Chicago line east of Toledo in 2014.  And, in addition to Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited, Canadian Pacific’s trains between Chicago and Detroit also utilize this busy and at times congested line between Butler and Chicago.  This DVD can be watched with or without narration.  It is a two disk set and is 3 hours and 15 minutes in length.

Price: $44.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: Blu-Ray

PSR on NS's Premier Corridor in Northern Indiana DVD

Several years ago Norfolk Southern began referring to its line to Chicago from northern New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore as the Premier Corridor – the busiest line for freight traffic in the eastern half of the United States and the most important freight corridor on the entire NS system.  And this includes their former New York Central Chicago Line from Cleveland to Chicago.  This video shows the trains and operations on NS’s Chicago Line in northern Indiana, east of Elkhart, for over thirty-six hours in October of 2019.  Norfolk Southern recently implemented their version of precision scheduled railroading called their Top-21 plan system-wide on their manifest trains.  PSR on NS’s Premier Corridor has resulted in fewer but longer trains and the first regular use of distributed power in over thirty-five years on this line.  In June of 1999 the face of railroading in the East changed overnight. It has now been over twenty years since CSX and Norfolk Southern split up Conrail and began operating their respective shares.  NS has greatly increased their share of intermodal traffic between the East Coast and Chicago versus CSX.  This program shows that growth and the effect of PSR on NS’s Premier Corridor since our last look at NS’s Chicago line east of Toledo in 2014.  And, in addition to Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited, Canadian Pacific’s trains between Chicago and Detroit also utilize this busy and at times congested line between Butler and Chicago.  This DVD can be watched with or without narration.  It is a two disk set and is 3 hours and 15 minutes in length.

Price: $44.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: DVD

Norfolk Southern's former Wabash Lafayette District Blu-Ray

Norfolk Southern recently implemented precision scheduled railroading system-wide on their manifest trains.  This video shows the trains and operations on NS’s Lafayette District west of Lafayette, Indiana for over twenty-four hours in October of 2019.  PSR on this Detroit and Fort Wayne to Decatur, Illinois traffic lane has resulted in fewer but longer trains and the first use of distributed power in nearly fifty years on this line.  Where we videotaped, this superbly engineered, high-speed former Wabash line constructed over one hundred and sixty years ago follows the Wabash River mostly near the top of the valley and then crosses the Wabash at Attica, Indiana where we spent the night.  Trains from Detroit, Fort Wayne, Bellevue, southwest of Cleveland, the Southeast via Muncie and Frankfort, Indiana, and the East Coast take this line to Decatur and to the major rail centers and connections at St. Louis, and Kansas City.  This line hosts an eclectic mix of manifest, intermodal, auto and unit trains along with the last remaining RoadRailers.  Although there are fewer auto parts and finished autos through here than there was before the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, this line still sees nearly solid trains of auto parts cars and continues to deserve the moniker – automotive artery.  This DVD is one hour and 27 minutes in length.  It can be watched with or without narration.

Price: $34.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: Blu-Ray

Norfolk Southern's former Wabash Lafayette District DVD

Norfolk Southern recently implemented precision scheduled railroading system-wide on their manifest trains.  This video shows the trains and operations on NS’s Lafayette District west of Lafayette, Indiana for over twenty-four hours in October of 2019.  PSR on this Detroit and Fort Wayne to Decatur, Illinois traffic lane has resulted in fewer but longer trains and the first use of distributed power in nearly fifty years on this line.  Where we videotaped, this superbly engineered, high-speed former Wabash line constructed over one hundred and sixty years ago follows the Wabash River mostly near the top of the valley and then crosses the Wabash at Attica, Indiana where we spent the night.  Trains from Detroit, Fort Wayne, Bellevue, southwest of Cleveland, the Southeast via Muncie and Frankfort, Indiana, and the East Coast take this line to Decatur and to the major rail centers and connections at St. Louis, and Kansas City.  This line hosts an eclectic mix of manifest, intermodal, auto and unit trains along with the last remaining RoadRailers.  Although there are fewer auto parts and finished autos through here than there was before the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, this line still sees nearly solid trains of auto parts cars and continues to deserve the moniker – automotive artery.  This DVD is one hour and 27 minutes in length.  It can be watched with or without narration.

Price: $34.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: DVD

CSX Indianapolis Line Subdivision, a.k.a. The Bee Line Blu-Ray

This program shows over 24 hours of action on CSX’s former Conrail and New York Central line between Cleveland and Indianapolis around Union City on the Ohio – Indiana border in October of 2019.  This line carries all of CSX’s traffic from the East Coast and upper Midwest to Indianapolis and East St. Louis.  Recently, some automotive traffic from the East for Louisville was re-routed via Indianapolis and the Louisville and Indiana Railroad to Louisville, instead of taking the congested “Short Line” from Cincinnati to Louisville.  Most of this is loaded and empty auto racks which are classified at Louisville.  Beginning in early 2017 when Hunter Harrison arrived at CSX, there have been dramatic changes in operations as many hump classification yards were closed and trains combined or discontinued.  The result has been fewer but longer trains that will be on display in this video.  This line is known today as the Bee Line, as in honeybee, ostensibly because it runs in a relatively straight line between Cleveland and Indianapolis.  But the original nickname was only the letter B, referring to the Indianapolis and Bellefontaine and Bellefontaine and Indiana railroads who met at what would become Union City in 1853.  The Pennsylvania Railroad’s Panhandle Line used to cross the Bee Line in Union City, Indiana at grade.  The long closed tower is still standing and the Preservation Society of Union City is trying to raise money to move and restore the tower.  This DVD is one hour and 21 minutes in length.  It can be watched with or without narration.

Price: $32.95

Attributes

  • Video Format: Blu-Ray

 

                                                       Big “E” Productions

P.O. BOX 75

GREENLAND, NH 03840

Our DVDs show the whole train!

Our web page is at www.trainvideos.com, email us at bigeee@trainvideos.com.

 800-832-1228 or 603-430-3055   Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or Discover Card Orders Accepted.

Last updated 12/14/2023

 

Frequency – twice a year

 

 Issue #179                            December, 2023

May all of you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Remember, our DVDs make great Christmas gifts for the railfan in your family.  This Newsletter begins our 32th year of selling train videos.  As long as both my wife and I are in good health we intend to continue selling old videos and I still have some hope to do a few new programs. We will not be attending the Big Train Show in West Springfield, Massachusetts anymore.

 

Again no new programs.  I was recently diagnosed with AFib (atrial fibrillation – fast, erratic heartbeat).  Medication seems to help but it will be some time before I know how much.  Also both knees need to be replaced but it will also be some time before that can happen.  My wife is still recovering from having both knees replaced.  She is using a wheelchair and walker to get around.  I would still like to do more videotaping but this is looking less and less likely.  We hope that all of you are safe and sound.  Our next newsletter will be around June of 2024.  Railfan Depot in Indianapolis is now carrying some of our videos.

 

We have four grandkids playing sports right now – two here in New Hampshire and two in Illinois.  I hope to be able to see their games in person as much as I can.  And then we have 12 other grandkids and one great grandson to keep track of.  I am looking forward to attending the girls state basketball tournament in Illinois beginning in 2025 and the class IV boys baseball tournament here in New Hampshire next spring.

 

No other train video producer shows and explains railroading like we do and our catalogue includes programs on fallen flags ATSF, SP, BN, CNW,  IC, Wisconsin Central, and Conrail.  We almost always show the whole train and most of our videos show all of the action – day and night.  Our newest program is “PSR on CSX’s Chicago Line in Northern Indiana”, part of our look at PSR on eastern railroads.  This is our 49th program to be released in both Blu-ray and in regular DVD.  You need to specify what type of DVD you are ordering with programs available in both DVD and Blu-ray.  All of our DVD’s have chapters and menus and around half – everything videotaped from 2004 on plus a few programs from 2003 - have a choice of being watched with narration and without narration by using the menu or audio and language buttons on your DVD player controller.  321 programs are available in DVD (49 in Blu-ray) and all are listed in the flyers.  No other train video producer shows and explains railroading like we do and our catalogue includes programs on fallen flags ATSF, BN, SP, CNW. IC, Wisconsin Central, and Conrail.  Our shipping and handling charge on orders remains $5.00 with no charge on orders over $100.  We offer year-round discounts on large orders.  See flyers for details.  These discounts are available only by mail and phone.  If you have questions and get our answering machine, please leave your name and number and we will call you back as soon as possible.  You can reach us by email at bigeee@trainvideos.com or on our webpage at www.trainvideos.com.

 

If we are able to videotape again, the focus will be on changes on the western railroads due to PSR.

 

                                              Dick and Barb Eisfeller